CALIFORNIA’S DROUGHT CRISIS
LESSONS LEARNED: DROUGHT THEN AND NOW
With California experiencing its second driest year on record, CalMatters investigates what’s improved and what’s worsened since the last drought — and vividly portrays the impacts on California’s places and people.
‘Everyone loses’: Sacramento Valley struggles to survive unprecedented water cuts
Sacramento Valley growers protected for decades by their water rights are suffering for the first time during this record-breaking drought. Wildlife refuges are struggling, too.
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DATA
DROUGHT: THE BASICS
Water in California, explained
Where does our water come from?
It originates as rain and snow. Some falls in Oregon and drains into the Klamath River, and some falls in the vast drainage of the Colorado River. But most of it lands in California — about 200 million acre-feet on average per year.
California Drought and Water Tracker
This dashboard provides current and historical perspective on water issues facing the state using a variety of public available datasets, and explores how droughts are making those issues worse.
MORE DROUGHT COVERAGE
State water agency rescinds controversial Delta order that put fish at risk
State officials say the urgency to store more water has vanished as storms swell reservoirs. The reversal is a victory for environmentalists, but they say the damage to salmon and native fish is already done.
California storms create paradox: Too much water in reservoirs, too soon
As storms melt snowpack, managers released water to prevent reservoirs from overflowing and flooding Central Valley towns — and that sends water into the ocean. The warm rains melt snow that ideally would last into spring and help with water deliveries.
State rejects local plans for protecting San Joaquin Valley groundwater
Groundwater plans, largely serving low-income Latino communities, were deemed inadequate for preventing dry wells and sinking land.
This reservoir on the Sacramento River has been planned for decades. What’s taking so long?
The Sites Reservoir — a $4.4 billion project to add dams and store more water that’ll be sent south — is still years away from completion. The final environmental report is expected this year, before construction of two large dams and other structures can begin.
Water board waives Delta rules that protect salmon
Angering environmentalists, the water board decided that cities and farmers would get more Delta water while restricting flows for endangered salmon and other fish. The move came after Gov. Gavin Newsom suspended key environmental laws.
Newsom suspends environmental laws to store more Delta water
Facing criticism that stormwater flowed out to sea, the governor asked the water board to waive rules designed to protect salmon and other endangered fish. Environmentalists call it “a breakdown of law and order” while growers laud it as a way to ensure more water is delivered this year.
Ground zero: Rain brings little relief to California’s depleted groundwater
Communities, largely home to low-income Latino residents, still have dry wells. Restoring groundwater takes decades, with costly, long-term replenishment projects — and ultimately, much less pumping.
California, other states reach impasse over Colorado River
Despite a federal deadline today, California — the largest user of Colorado River water — has refused to cut back as much as six other states proposed in a new plan today. Imperial valley growers have the most to lose.
How can California boost its water supply?
From capturing stormwater runoff to transforming agriculture, here are some ways for drought-prone California to get more water.
A pivot on desalination plants: California approves project in Orange County
After rejecting a controversial proposal in Huntington Beach, the state Coastal Commission greenlights another in Dana Point. While environmentalists raised concerns, the commission calls it a well-planned project.
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